2020 Toyota Highlander
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 317 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 25 Highlander model years with reports.
Of the 2020 reports, 15 involved a crash. 20 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, sensor, occupant classificationDec 20, 2023
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
Campaign 23V865000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, bumpersOct 26, 2023
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Highlander & Highlander Hybrid vehicles. During normal vehicle operation, minor impact to the front lower bumper cover may result in the cover coming loose or detaching.
A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will repair or replace the upper and lower front bumper covers as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 22, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB12/23TA12.
Campaign 23V720000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsOct 14, 2020
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Highlander and Highlander hybrid vehicles. Incorrect seat trim covers on one or both of the front seats can prevent the seat-mounted side air bag from deploying properly.
Improper deployment of the seat-mounted side air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats and replace the seat trim covers as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB14 / 20TA14.
Campaign 20V633000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, deliveryMar 19, 2020
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Highlander vehicles equipped with a 3.5 L, V6 (2GR-FKS) gasoline engine. Due to an Engine Control Unit (ECU) programming error, fuel may not be correctly supplied to the engine while using the stop and restart feature.
Improper fuel supply programming can result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECU, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA06.
Campaign 20V162000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
317 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, Dec 13, 2020
WE WERE DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY AND SUDDENLY WE HEARD LIKE A "BANG" SOUND, LIKE AN EXPLOSION. WE LOOKED AROUND US AND WONDERED WHAT IT WAS. THEN WE HEARD THE AIR FROM THE ROOF SEEPING THROUGH AND WE TOOK AN EXIT, IT WAS A SHATTERED SUNROOF. SINCE THE RAIN IS IN THE FORECAST AND WE WERE GOING ON A CROSS COUNTRY VACATION, WE USED A FLEX TAPE TO PREVENT FOR THE GLASS TO KEEP SHATTERING AND FROM THE RAIN.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 7, 2020
THE GAS TANKS HOLDS 17 GALLONS OR ~570 MILES TO EMPTY. THE MOST I CAN FILL IT IS ~14 GALLONS OR ~470 MILES TO EMPTY. IT ALWAYS CLICKS OFF LIKE IT'S FULL. I'VE TRIED GENTLY TOPPING OFF, SLIGHTLY PULLING OUT FUEL MODEL ETC. NOTHING HAS WORKED. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW AND DRIVEN OFF THE LOT. THIS IS ALL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AT A GAS PUMP.
Power train, Nov 17, 2020, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND IN THE PARK POSITION IN ORDER FOR THEIR MOTHER TO UNLOAD THE TRUNK, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ROLLED AWAY IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THEIR MOTHER. ONCE THE INCLINE OF THE STREET WAS MORE OF A PLATO THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP. THEY WERE ABLE TO CATCH UP TO THE VEHICLE AND RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THEIR HOME THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEIR MOTHER RECEIVED INJURIES TO HER FACE, RIGHT ARM, RIGHT HAND, LEFT RIB AREA, LEFT LEG, AND FOOT AREAS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER (HIGHLAND TOYOTA LOCATED AT 5500 45TH AVENUE DR, MOLINE, IL 61265; (309) 764-2481 ) WHO DIAGNOSED THAT NO DEFECT OR MALFUNCTION COULD BE DETECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SENT AN INVESTIGATOR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Lane departure, Nov 16, 2020
BLIND SPOT MONITORING IS NOT WORKING. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP THY SAID IT NEEDED RE-CALIBRATION BUT IT STILL DOESN'T SEE SEMI TRUCKS. MY WIFE ACCIDENTALLY RAN ANOTHER WOMEN OFF ROAD BECAUSE SHE TRUSTED THIS TOYOTA SYSTEM. SYSTEM IS CURRENTLY STILL WORKING INTERMITTENTLY.
Service brakes, Oct 15, 2020
I HAVE BEEN HAVING INTERMITTENT ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES WHEN TURNING ON MY CAR AND GOING IN REVERSE. ON ONE OCCASION, AFTER TURNING ON THE VEHICLE AND PUTTING IT IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE DESPITE BEING ON LEVEL GROUND. I HAD TO APPLY PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR AND HEARD THE CAR STRAIN A LITTLE BEFORE I HEARD A SOUND COME FROM THE BRAKES AND THE CAR SUDDENLY JERKED BACKWARDS. I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES AND I DID NOT HAVE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. AFTER THIS THE BAKES APPEARS TO FUNCTION AS USUAL. ANOTHER TIME, I TURNED ON THE CAR AND WENT IN REVERSE BUT THE CAR DID NOT MOVE. I APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR AND HEARD THE CAR STRAIN A BIT THEN IT JERKED BACK. I APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE BRAKES WERE IN RESPONSIVE UNLESS I PUSHED ON THEM WITH SIGNIFICANT FORCE. I CAME TO A STOP AND THEM TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO RESUME BACKWARD MOTION TO EXIT MY PARKING SPOT. AGAIN I DID NOT MOVE FORWARD AND HAD TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR WHICH CAUSE THE CAR TO INITIALLY STRAIN THEN SUDDENLY JET BACKWARDS. I AGAIN APPLIED PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES WHICH AGAIN WERE INITIALLY UNRESPONSIVE UNTIL I PUT SIGNIFICANT PRESSURE. THIS CYCLE HAPPENED A TOTAL OF 4-5 CONSECUTIVE TIMES PRIOR TO THE BRAKES RESUMING NORMAL FUNCTION. BRAKES FUNCTIONED NORMALLY BETWEEN THIS INCIDENT AND THE ONE MENTIONED EARLIER IN THIS COMPLAINT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 15, 2020
I PURCHASED A 2020 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID AWD IN MAY 2020. IN JUNE 2020, I NOTICED A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN THE GAS GAUGE ABS THE DISTANCE TO EMPTY INDICATOR. THE GAS GAUGE SAID THERE WAS 3/4 OF A TANK LEFT BUT THE DTE SAID I HAD ONLY 43 MILES. I WENT TO THE GAS STATION TODAY (OCTOBER 2020) TO FILL UP MY VEHICLE AND FILLED IT UNTIL THE GAS SHUT-OFF TRIPPED. I TURNED ON MY CAR AND NOTICED THAT MY GAS GAUGE SAID IT WAS ONLY 7/8TH FULL. THINKING IT TRIPPED TOO SOON I REFILLED IT AGAIN BUT ONLY 0.5 GALLONS WENT INTO TANK BEFORE THE SHUT-OFF TRIPPED AGAIN. WHEN I TURNED ON THE CAR THIS TIME THE GAS GAUGE INDICATED IT WAS FULL. I DOUBT THE GAS GAUGE IS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 26, 2020
HIGHLANDER LE 2020 CAR HAS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE.WHEN I TURN OFF ENGINE WITH GEAR CHANGER IN D POSITION THE GEAR GOES IN N NEUTRAL POSITION WHILE STILL IN D POSITION WITHOUT GIVING ANY ALERT NOISE.I PARKED MY CAR IN 3RD FLOOR OF A PUBLIC PARKING WHERE THE FLOOR HAD SLOP, AND TURNED OFF ENGINE IN D POSITION BY MISTAKE AND STARTED READING AN EMAIL IN MY CELLPHONE WITHOUT LOOKING OUTSIDE OF CAR. THE CAR DIDN'T GIVE ANY ALERT NOISE SAYING THAT THE CAR IS TURNED OFF IN D POSITION.MY WIFE AND SON HAD EXITED THE CAR AND WERE WAITING FOR ME TO EXIT WHILE I WAS READING MY EMAIL IN MY CELLPHONE.I HEARD MY WIFE AND SON SCREAMING " STOP THE CAR" STOP THE CAR" WHEN I LOOKED OUTSIDE AND SAW THAT THE CAR WAS ROLLING BACK TOWARDS OTHER PARKED CARS. I STOPED THE CAR AND TURNED ON ENGINE AND MOVED CAR FORWARD AND SHIFTED THE STICK TO P POSITION. I WAS REALLY SUPRISED WHY THIS CAR DIDN'T GIVE ANY ALERT NOISE THAT THE CAR WAS ROLLING BACK WHEN ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF IN D POSITION. THIS ISSUE WAS GOING TO BE A BAD DISASTER FOR ME IF MY WIFE AND SON HADN'T SCREAMED TO LET ME KNOW THAT THE CAR WAS ROLLING BACK ON 3RD FLOOR OF A PUBLIC PARKING.THE ONLY ALERT I NOTICED IN THAT TIME WAS A SMALL POP UP ON DASHBOARD WITHOUT ANY NOISE. I CALLED TOYOTA CORPORATION AND THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NO ANY PROBLEM WITH MY CAR AND THAT THIS CAR DOESN'T HAVE ANY SAFETY PROBLEM.FOR SURE SOONER OR LATER THIS WILL BE A BAD DISASTER FOR SOME CAR OWNERS OF THIS MODEL. I DON'T HAVE PEACE OF MIND WHEN MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR WITH MY KIDS INSIDE. PLEASE SOLVE THIS BIG SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME AS TOYOTA CORPORATION DOESN'T ACCEPT THIS ISSUE AS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE TOYOTA DEALER SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT THIS PROBLEM IS SOFTWARE PROBLEM AND MUST BE REPORTED TO TOYOTA CORPORATION, BUT CORPORATION SAYS THAT THERE IS NOT ANY PROBLEM. EVEN 1980'S OR 1990'S CAR WHEN YOU TURN OFF THE ENGINE IN D POSITION THE CAR GIVES NOISE ALERT.
Seat belts, Jul 5, 2020
OCCUPANCY SENSOR FOR DRIVER SEAT, 2ND ROW BENCH, AND 3RD ROW BENCH MALFUNCTION. VEHICLE DISPLAY SHOWS SEATS ARE OCCUPIED AND SEAT BELTS NOT ENGAGED WHEN SEATS ARE NOT OCCUPIED. ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAYS UNTIL VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.
Structure, Jun 29, 2020
THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A STRAIGHT HIGHWAY ON A HOT TEXAS DAY WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES IN THE VICINITY AND NO DEBRIS ON THE ROAD AND THE MOON/SUN ROOF EXPLODED (SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT IN THE CAR). THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW AND ONLY HAD 4,000 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY LOCATED AT THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER BEING EVALUATED BUT THEY ARE DENYING IT AS A WARRANTY ISSUE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN LIFE THREATENING SINCE IT WAS A VERY LOUD SOUND AND THANKFULLY WE HAD THE INSIDE COVER CLOSED TO THAT WE WERE PROTECTED FROM THE GLASS.
Seat belts, Jun 15, 2020
VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELT SENSORS AND ALERTS FOR ALL SEATS, YET FAILS TO ACCURATELY REPORT WHICH SEATS ARE BUCKLED OR NOT WHEN OCCUPIED. THIS ALERT IS SUPPOSED TO OCCUR WHEN TURNING ON THE VEHICLE AND BEFORE SHIFTING OUT OF PARK. MANY TIMES, WITH JUST THE DRIVER SITTING AND NO PASSENGERS IN THE CAR, IT REPORTS THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE SEATED WITH AN UNBUCKLED SEAT BELT. OTHER TIMES WHEN THERE ARE PEOPLE SEATED AND UNBUCKLED THE SYSTEM DOES NOT RECOGNIZE IT AND NO ALERT APPEARS. THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE THAT IS ADVERTISED FOR SALES BUT DOES NOT WORK. ENSURING THAT THESE ADVERTISED SAFETY FEATURES FUNCTION CORRECTLY SHOULD BE OF HIGH IMPORTANCE ESPECIALLY WHEN PEOPLE LIKE I DO, DEPEND ON THEM FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR CHILDREN. *TR
Power train, Jun 12, 2020
THIS VEHICLE WILL LET YOU SHUT THE ENGINE OFF IN DRIVE WITHOUT SHIFTING TO PARK. IF YOU DO THIS AND LEAVE THE VEHICLE ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, IT WILL ROLL AWAY AND YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET BACK TO IT AND INTO IT IN TIME TO GET YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THEN SHIFT IT INTO PARK. THIS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED. YOU SHOULD HAVE TO SHIFT TO PARK BEFORE THE ENGINE CAN BE TURNED OFF. *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 26, 2020
THE VEHICLE HESITATES, STALLS AND HAS BUCKING LEAPING FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY, ON THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS A VERY LOUD WHINING NOISE UPON SHIFTING THE CAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND BACK AGAIN FROM DRIVE TO PARK, AT A STAND STILL. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH A NEE CAR, MY WIFE AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE WHILE DRIVING IN THIS CAR. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, May 6, 2020
MY NEW 2020 HIGHLANDER HYBRID HAS A BIG ISSUE WITH THE GAS TANK. I GET ONLY 460 MILES, EVEN IF I TOP IT OFF WITH THE GAS SPEWING OUT. TOYOTA ADVERTISED A 600 MILE RANGE TO THE HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE 600 MILE FUEL RANGE SEEMS VERY OFF WITH THE 2020 HIGHLANDER HYBRID. I HAVE THE XLE AND ALWAYS HAVE KEPT IT IN ECO MODE. I'VE DRIVEN OVER A THOUSAND MILES ON THE CAR, BUT THE MILE RANGE ESTIMATE ON THE CAR IS INACCURATE AND SEEMS TO BE OFF A LOT IF IT'S SUPPOSED TO GET 600 MILES TO A TANK. MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHEN THE TANK IS EMPTY (THE DASH SAYS I HAD 5 MILES LEFT TO EMPTY), THE GAS TANK ONLY HOLDS AROUND 13 GALLONS EVEN THOUGH THE FUEL TANK CAPACITY IS SUPPOSEDLY 17.1 GALLONS. THOSE 4 GALLONS MAKE FOR 140 MILES LESS DISTANCE ON A TANK. IF I WAIT AND KEEP ON FORCING THE GAS IN SLOWLY, I CAN GET 15 GALLONS BUT I DON'T LIKE THE IDEA OF HAVING TO KEEP ON PUSHING THE GAS NOZZLE UNTIL THE GAS SPEWS OUT OF THE TANK JUST TO GET 15 GALLONS IN. I KNOW TOYOTA HAS BEEN HAVING GAS TANK ISSUES IN OTHER MODELS RECENTLY. ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS I BOUGHT THE CAR WAS FOR THE FUEL TANK CAPACITY AND RANGE. A VIDEO EXPLANATION OF THE PROBLEM IS BELOW: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=HUU649ZRL-G&T=245S. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 24, 2020
TOYOTA ADVERTISES AND REPRESENTS THAT THE HIGHLANDER HYBRID′S FUEL TANK CAPACITY IS 17.1 GALLONS, AND BASED ON ITS 35 MPG RATING, THE RANGE SHOULD BE ABOUT 600 MILES. HOWEVER, I AM NOT ABLE TO FILL THE TANK BY MORE THAN 12 GALLONS THUS REDUCING MY RANGE TO 420 MILES. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE NEWLY DESIGNED SADDLE TANK WHICH PROHIBITS THE TANK FROM BEING FILLED COMPLETELY THUS CHEATING ME OUT OF ABOUT 180 MILES OF DRIVING RANGE.
Suspension, Apr 7, 2020
THE VEHICLE SUSPENSION IS VERY TIGHT AND CABIN NOISE IS VERY LOUD.ICAN HIT 95 DECIBELS ON MY SOUND PRESSURE METER. HAVE TO TURN THE RADIO UP SO I DO NOT HEAR IT . CANNOT HEAR EMERGENCY VEHICLES. WONDER IT IS DOING TO MY HEARING. THIS A NEW VEHICLE TOOK IT TO TWO DEALERSHIPS AND THEY SAY IT IS NORMAL, THAT CAN NOT BE NORMAL IT SOUNDS LIKES TRUCK. *TR
Suspension, Apr 7, 2020
SUSPENSION IS VERY LOUD AND TIGHT, THE CABIN NOISE IS VERY NOISY IT CAN HIT 95 DECIBELS ON SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL METER. THE NOISE IS SO BAD THAT I DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLES ANY MORE UNLESS I TURN THE RADIO VOLUME UP AND I CAN NOT HEAR EMERGENCY VEHICLES.THE SERVICE PEOPLE SAID THAT IS NORMAL.THE VEHICLE NOISE CAN BE UNBEARABLE AT TIMES.IWONDER WHAT IT DOING TO MY HEARING.THE VEHICLE WAS LIKE THIS SINCE I BOUGHT NEW.
Steering, Engine, Mar 3, 2020
AFTER LEAVING A SHOPPING CENTER ON FEBRUARY 29 2020, WE PULLED OUT ONTO A ROAD TO HEAD TOWARDS HOME. WE WERE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR IN TRAFFIC AND RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION ON THE SCREEN THAT SAID THE ENGINE WAS OFF, PUT CAR IN PARK. THERE WAS ALSO A WARNING LIGHT THAT CAME ON FOR THE ELECTRONIC STEERING ASSIST WITH AN EXCLAMATION POINT. WE WERE ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TRYING TO MANEUVER THROUGH TRAFFIC OF 4 LANES. WE PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE. IT WOULD TURN OVER, BUT NOT START. WE CALLED TOYOTA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED AND THEY SAID IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT AN HOUR TO GET TO US AND TOW THE VEHICLE. AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES WE DECIDED TO ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE AGAIN. IT STARTED, AND THE VEHICLE STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, BUT THEN WENT OFF. WE CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND TOLD THEM WE WERE GOING TO ATTEMPT TO DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS ONLY A FEW MILES AWAY. WE LEFT THE VEHICLE THERE TO BE CHECKED AND SO FAR THEY SAY NOTHING HAS BEEN FOUND BUT ARE CHECKING FURTHER AND TESTING THE VEHICLE BUT SO FAR HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE OCCURRENCE. IT ONLY HAS 300 MILES ON THE ODOMETER.